This 2 year OCR GCSE Photography specification (J264) focuses on developing students' practical skills in photography and their understanding of photographic processes and techniques, alongside critical and contextual understanding. Students will explore various photographic areas like portraiture, landscape, still life, and documentary photography, and will be assessed on their ability to develop ideas, refine work, record observations, and present a personal response. 

Although there is no formal requirement to have experience in photography before embarking on the GCSE course, it helps to have an interest in the subject. In GCSE photography you are assessed on 4 main criteria: Research and contextual investigations, experimentation, recording of ideas and presenting a final piece students will also be required to analyse their own and others work. All work will be presented and assessed as a combination of a digital portfolio and presented pieces.

The course is made up of 2 components; A portfolio (60%) and Externally set task (40%) pupils will be expected to present a personal outcome in relation to their chosen ideas and themes.